To float or not to float...

[RebelSS]

Wondering...do you prefer to slip-bobber/float fish for pannies, or straight line jig? Gotta admit, I love that thrill of seeing that tiny slip bobber go down...down.....then disappear.  I prefer the Thill tiny slip bobbers, used with a bead/knot tie, (I don't use the wood stop that comes with them) and also love the glow Venoms that are adjustable, anyone else do the same?

[eyeguy 54]

used these a lot years ago. usually on a jiggle stick when sitting in a fish house and then hand over hand the fish.  

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Back before the Ice Buster bobbers I used the slip setup.  Works well inside a house, but was a nightmare fishing in the cold.  

[Hawg]

Me too, ice Busters exclusively now. 

[smurfy]

Real fisherman use spring bobbers!

[Big Dave2]

All depends on how the fish are biting. If they are biting fast and furious I wouldn't bother with a bobber. I love the feeling of a tight line and feeling a fish bite. I use bobbers when the fish seem to want a dead stick approach or if they aren't biting well anyway so I might as well mess with other things while the bobbers do the work. I will also use a bobber on my second line. I only use ice busters now for several years too.

[Duffman]

34 minutes ago, smurfy said:

Real fisherman use spring bobbers!

 

Yep

 

I haven't used a float in over 15 years.

Spring bobber or tip down for this guy.............also the combination of both.

 

I do have a pair of brand new dozen year old Ice Busters sitting in with my tackle though.

And I love the Thills for open water.

Edited December 17, 2016 by Duffman

[eyeguy 54]

true dat smurphy LOL   i use larger thill bobbers while fishing eyes now but thats about it during ice time. for eyes i like the thill pro series best. 

[RebelSS]

38 minutes ago, Big Dave2 said:

All depends on how the fish are biting. If they are biting fast and furious I wouldn't bother with a bobber. I love the feeling of a tight line and feeling a fish bite. I use bobbers when the fish seem to want a dead stick approach or if they aren't biting well anyway so I might as well mess with other things while the bobbers do the work. I will also use a bobber on my second line. I only use ice busters now for several years too.

 

When the bite is on, it's a naked line for me! When it's lunch time or just lean back and relax time, I'll switch to the bobber. Usually have 4 rods ready, each with a different set. I like to get up and go outside of the porty and walk around a bit, and then kick back for a bit when I'm back inside. 

[monstermoose78]

Just rigged up a heavy rod with 14 pound mono with steel leader and big ole hook and big float to hold that sucker in place. My mission is to make some pike pay for stealing my jigs!!!

[eyeguy 54]

when I take a break from jigging i just set it on the bucket and the spring works nice for a dead stick. Just one hole has been enough the last few years when after panfish. still gotta have 3 or 4 poles rigged up tho for some reason. lol 

[cavalierowner]

Yep, strictly spring bobbers for me. And I still hand-over-hand it with the old jig sticks that you wrap the line around.  Guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks!

[RebelSS]

Big believer in whatever works for ya!  

[eyeguy 54]

jig sticks are fun cava but hate it when jaws or greenback comes along.  tough with my 3 pound line. bye bye pretty little jig.

 

[smurfy]

I love using the real thin thill boobers but only use them after ice out. After that it's all straight line 

Edited December 17, 2016 by smurfy

[RebelSS]

O, you thilly boy...

[Jim Almquist]

The only reason I use a float is to let me know when I am close to the area where the fish are biting. Most times it never hits the water. I like the fact that it allows me to just barely twitch my jig which can make a big difference when they are in a negative mood. Most of the fish I catch are on the drop when they are feeding. 

[cavalierowner]

I've had really good luck when they're finicky by just slowly dropping the jig 1/4" to 1" when I see the spring twitch. Then, when it twitches again or the line goes slightly slack, I set the hook. Works very well when they're just "sniffing" the jig.

 

BTW, the spring bobber I use is just a very thin wire. So thin, in fact, that about every dozen fish or so I have to bend it back to it's original shape. The only place I have found the kind I like is at Wayzata Bait. 

Edited December 19, 2016 by cavalierowner

[RebelSS]

I'll sit and "twitch' the rod tip, then slowly pull it up 6", then let it sink down.  Let it sit a minute or two, then repeat...works for me. Seems those nosey ones finally nail it.

[eyeguy 54]

I really like the one made by frabill.  Titanium. Just make sure you tape it on with thin strip of electrical tape.  did not know to do that on my first on and lost it down the hole.. LOL  came loose and my tiny jig didnt stop it. 

[eyeguy 54]

very sensitive, i just slide them back when not in use. the black part stays put. 

[Hawg]

I didn't this was a post about anything but bobbers. I use them only when I set my rod down to keep my bait of the bottom or on rattle reels. 

[Jim Uran]

I always use one on my second rod when I'm set up at prime time, Venom floats are the best I've used. 

[ZachD]

I put down a crappie minnow under a ice buster for my second line if I am fishing in a house. I never run two floats Always have my main rod with a spring bobber if the fish are biting on no movement I just set my jigging rod down and watch for it to twitch.

[smurfy]

I have the Thorne brothers spring bobber along with there rods. Fortunately I got them before they got so spendy.